I've used these in the past, and marvelled at how they can withstand such a high voltage in such a small component. I decided to take one apart to see how it's made. I ended up taking more than one apart.
The construction is surprisingly simple, with a very retro alternative to resin potting.
The alternative triggering circuits I mentioned sometimes use the thyristor pulling the transformer common connection to the zero volt rail, or put the capacitor where I drew the thyristor and a sidac in series with the primary.
I dug out a more accurate set of calipers and remeasured the wires. Both transformers had a 0.28mm diameter (29AWG?) primary wire and a 0.12mm diameter (36AWG?) secondary wire.
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15 thoughts on “Unwinding a tiny 6kv xenon trigger transformer”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars snowdaysrule1 says:

    Best piece of advice I ever received as a kid (that I listened to) was to "go down to your local drug store and ask if you can have some of the processed disposable cameras." 20 years later and I still have the box of around 100 pcb's from my haul! Each board has a trigger transformer and flash tube and it was so cool to see all the variations in parts and design from the major manufacturers.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Roy Tellason says:

    A source for some interesting parts along these lines is the electronics you find in disposable cameras that are equipped with flash. If anybody is still using those, what with everybody having a camera in their phone these days. The ones I've seen have a little transformer of E-I construction IIRC.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mohamad Tarmuzi says:

    Thanks for your explanation

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lvo motor says:

    kink palculator? sounds pinky.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dale nassar says:

    I need just such a trigger xfmr…but with the coils isolated (4-wire). After watching your video, it seems an easy task to simply isolate the pri. and sec. windings simply by cutting a wire and re-assembling…perhaps with some isolation and maybe a replacement primary. Doable???

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars GNARGNARHEAD says:

    oh that was super informative, that layered voltage difference explanation was invaluable, thanks so much <3

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars user73o1u 81716 says:

    can it be used with less voltage? Arduino pwm?? xD

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Triunfo Gim says:

    Thanks you Sir.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars And Chips says:

    Have you seen the new album cover for One Direction, it just shows a diode symbol?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael Ceraso says:

    Part number and link to product page??

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gacheru Mburu says:

    👍

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars joseph says:

    Is this something which can be used with ac and dc?

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kira says:

    ye its verry tricky to slder it , yo uhave to do it quick otherwise too much heat will damage it, I usually buy few of those just in case

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ian forster says:

    if you put the cap in series it should limit the current as well

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sangeeth S says:

    Can you make an actual working xenon flash circuit with this? ☺️

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